Blacksmith Square is a new Retail and Studio area in downtown
Livermore
Located on the SW corner of Livermore Ave and Railroad Ave
in historic buildings which were most recently V&G Mufflers, but were a
Blacksmith shop prior to that.
Renovation started around November 2004 with the sandblasting of the buildings.
Shops opened in the summer of 2006
See Historical
and Renovation Photos
This photo was taken February 18, 2007, after the arch was added.

Labor Day Weekend Party at John Christopher Cellars at Blacksmith Square
NO Harvest Festival Tickets Required

Labor Day Weekend Party at John Christopher Cellars at
Blacksmith Square

Labor Day Weekend Party at John Christopher Cellars at Blacksmith Square Sept
4 - Sept 5th, 12- 6 PM Celebrate this years Harvest at John Christopher Cellars
with award winning, small lot wines, delectable food, live music, art, jewelry
and relaxing massages - all in ONE fun and happening place! AND, on Sunday, Big
Al will be drawing LIVE on the courtyard amazing caricatures of you and your
friends - he is gifted at capturing the "you" in you! (http://www.bigalart.com/)
The courtyard will be rockin' with live music by Stones Throw on Saturday and
Hwy 4 on Sunday - music starts each day at 3:00 PM. Pick up one of the delicious
sandwiches available for purchase, including freshly grilled Tri-Tip or Jamaican
Jerk Chicken. Also available are cheese and salami platters, pasta salad or a
healthy green salad. All the entree's pair perfectly with JCC wines. Get to the
courtyard early and grab one of the shady tables on the courtyard to enjoy all
that JCC and its partners have to offer.

In addition, JCC will be releasing our NEW Courtyard Red this weekend - an
incredible red wine with great bold fruit and subtle oak flavors - an excellent
food pairing wine! . Wine specials this weekend include a 4 pack special at a
10% discount and 6 packs at 15% off. Plentiful parking is available in the
parking lot next to Blacksmith Square (the old Lucky's lot) - all the fun is in
ONE great downtown Livermore location.

We look forward to seeing you this weekend in the tasting room!

NOTE: There is NO charge to attend this event. Only wines purchased at one of
the Blacksmith Square wineries may be consumed on the courtyard. Tasting fees
waived with wine purchase. Complimentary live music provided by the shops at
Blacksmith Square

Frederick Schrader settled in Livermore in 1890, taking
over the blacksmith shop of James Beazell. (It was Beazell who, in his role as
State Legislator, sponsored the incorporation of Livermore in 1876.)

Schrader was both an accomplished blacksmith and
woodworker. In 1904 he modernized his shop when he installed a 3hp motor to
power blowers on three forges, eliminating the need for hand bellows. His new
power plant made his drills, grinding wheels and bolt cutters more efficient.

Schrader was also a real estate developer. He created what
he called the Model Block when he purchased an entire town block bounded by
Seventh and Eighth, I and J streets. A twenty foot -wide alley was put through
the property, with the intent that all automobiles would be garaged behind the
residences. (Schrader's alley is the only one in Livermore.)

C. M. Montgomery became a working partner of Schrader's in
July 1912. Montgomery was an experienced blacksmith, having worked for Schrader
some years earlier.

In 1914, the C. J. Stevens estate was being sold off. (The
estate owned Blocks 1 and 2 that extended from First Street to the railroad
reserve, and from Livermore Avenue to K street.) This enabled Schrader, who had
previously leased his site from Stevens, to purchase the property which he had
occupied for 15 years. But more important, he now had the opportunity to
re-build his shop. In the fall of 1914, Schrader had bricks brought from the
Livermore Fire Brick Company and to construct a new building, 30'x70', on the
north side of his plant.

(In other news, Schrader was, in November 1914, the first
man in Murray Township to be ticketed for driving too slow.)

Fred Schrader was found dead, sitting in his office chair,
in February 1915. The next year, Mrs. Schrader's partnership with Montgomery was
dissolved by mutual agreement.

Mrs. Schrader maintained the agency for McCormick farming
equipment in the south building, and in 1918, leased the blacksmith shop to
Joseph Pierrotti of Oakland, who opened a truck-building branch factory and a
maintenance and repair facility. Much of Pierrotti's business supported the
Malty Magnesite mines auto trucks. This arrangement went on for some years.

By 1932, the blacksmith shop had become an automobile
repair shop, but the use of the south building has not been identified.

Note: This web site is not affiliated with Blacksmith
Square in any way.
It is provided as a community service to the people of Livermore and the
Tri-Valley

Past Events

Jazz at Blacksmith Square - July 15 1-4pmCome on over to Blacksmith Square and hear the unbelievable music of Two's
Guys. Both musicians are well-known in the Tri-Valley area, playing at a variety
of venues, We can't wait to hear them on our courtyard.

Taste of Terroir July 26 6-9pm
Taste of Terroir is always a sold out event - and I'm sure this year will be no
different. Featuring 18 wineries partnered with 18 local chefs/restaurants, this
event showcases great food and wine pairings from the Livermore Valley. Held at
the Palm Event Center, you will be amazed at all the incredible offerings - its
truly a gastronomic delight!. Tickets will be available starting June 4th
through the Livermore Valley Winegrowers Association at:
www.livermorewine.com
. Tickets are $65.00/person.

Live Music - Stone's Throw - July 28, 1:00 to 4:00pm
Enjoy classic rock tunes at John Christopher Cellars in Blacksmith Square
located in downtown Livermore on July 28th. Stone's Throw will play from 1-4 PM
on the courtyard where you can relax to some oldies as well as some new tunes as
you sip John Christopher Cellars wine. A great way to spend a summer afternoon
and try all the great wine offerings at our elegant and friendly tasting room.
Try our newest proprietary Red Blend - Courtyard Red which we recently released!

Taste of Downtown. August 11 & 12, 12:00 to 5:30pm
This is one of the most fun events in Downtown Livermore. Join us as we
celebrate Taste of Downtown, featuring the many wonderful restaurants and shops
in our newly renovated downtown. Explore all the shopping areas within the
downtown using the complimentary Horse Carriages. For your convenience, there
will be both a drop off and pick up location at Blacksmith Square. To make it
more exciting, you will also be given a Passport to complete with prizes awarded
for those who visit all the locations! Participants also get to vote on their
favorite restaurant, shop and winery.

Live Music - Roger Kadinal - August 19, 1:00 to 4:00pmRoger Kardinal plays classic rock guitar and sings live from 1-4 PM. His
unbelievable voice and great strumming makes for a perfect afternoon of tunes
and wine. Try our new Courtyard Red to compliment the afternoon fun!